Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the opportunity.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."

That comment will be the last rival teams at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.